Nrityanchal Dance Festival begins

Sukalyan Bhattacharya

Renowned international dancer and choreographer Sukalyan Bhattacharya is now in Dhaka for the Nrityanchal Dance Festival --beginning today -- at the National Theatre stage, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA).
Sukalyan, a Toronto-based choreographer recently had a chat with The Daily Star at the BSA plaza in between rehearsals with his troupe. Directors of Nrityanchal, artistes Shibli Mohammed and Shamim Ara Nipa, were also present there, both busy working for the festival.
Born and raised in Kolkata, Sukalyan had to face all the prejudices against a man who wants to take up dance as a profession. “Dance is my passion and I was ready to break the so-called 'effeminate male dancer' image. My family was surprised when I declared that I wanted to be a dancer. However, they have always been very supportive.”
Sukalyan's USP is fusion -- combining the Indian classical dance forms with Western styles and some particular martial arts moves. The artiste says that he applies the professionalism and technical skills he learnt during his stay in Canada.
“I was inspired by my guru, Dr. Manjushree Chaki Sircar. Extremely innovative, he combined the classical form with two other dance forms –Kkalari (indigenous to Kerala, India) and Thangta (indigenous to Manipur, India). He includes moves from different martial arts forms in his compositions. I think audiences who want to see something new will find my compositions intriguing.”
Calling the classical dance forms “the root”, the artiste says, “Indian classical dance forms will continue to exist on their own merit. It is the root without which a dancer is nothing. It takes years of devotion to acquire a skill. But I feel the classical forms somehow lack the vigour that is often related to the idea of masculinity. My style tries to highlight the masculine energy. Moreover, the themes of classical dance forms are often archaic and difficult to convey to the masses. Like every art form, dance also needs evolution.”
'Sukalyan and the Entourage' -- Sukalyan's troupe which includes a music director, instrumentalists and dancers -- has performed at several international dance festivals in USA, England, Scotland, Canada, Australia and India. The troupe will perform the dance-drama Parijaee on the third day of Nrityanchal Dance Festival (January 27).
Sukalyan conducted a two-week workshop where 140 Bangladeshi dancers from different age groups participated. He is also the choreographer and director of the multimedia production Tin Konyar Daan that will open the festival. Shamim Ara Nipa will enact three legendary female characters -- Draupadi, Behula and Birangana Sakina. A team of 30 dancers will accompany Nipa in the production.
“I was bored doing the same dance routines year after year. I wanted a break through. Tin Konyar Daan is quite different from the other productions. Sukalyan's style is very innovative and unique. I took it as a challenge,” said Nipa.
“Nrityanchal has been arranging dance festivals with a wide perspective. We are glad to have Sukalyan here. I think the audience will witness some grand performances at this year's festival,” Shibli Mohammed added.
Besides Tin Konyar Daan and Parijayee, the festival includes dance-dramas Bhanusingher Podaboli directed by Samina Hossain Prema on the second day (January 26) and Mohua by Nrityanchal on the closing day (January 28). Nrityanchal will also honour two dance gurus, Kartik Singh and Kunjolal Sarkar.